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Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Still no word on Davao bridge project
By Grace L. Plata and Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Regional officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) can only offer commiseration and speculations on the stalled reconstruction of Generoso Bridge I in Bankerohan, Davao City.
As far as the two regional officials are concerned, their central offices have not told them whether there is indeed an allocation for the reconstruction. But, it can be assumed there is none.
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"There is no specific allocation for the bridge as DPWH's budget for 2007 has been approved prior to the collapse of the bridge. The agency, however, has nationwide lump sums, which it can use to fund projects such as bridge construction," DBM Assistant Regional Director Gary Martel said in Tuesday's City Council session.
Councilor Peter Laviña also asked DPWH Regional Director Hadji Pundidato Mitmug whether he knows if there are savings or unallocated funds from the agency's general appropriations. Mitmug answered in the negative, adding that only their central office knows of these things.
Mitmug said all he knew was that the DPWH-Southern Mindanao has allotted P100 million from their lump sum appropriation in the 2007 budget. He said an additional P50 million is allocated from the DPWH 2008 budget. Whether this has indeed been allocated, again, only their central office knows.
"So in this case, we have to check and wait if ever there are savings for the construction but if nahurot na ang funding. Wala na ta'y tulay (We don't have a bridge)," Laviña said.
The 50-year-old bridge collapsed in April this year and National Government officials have since been visiting the area, assuring that the bridge will be replaced within a year's period, even promising that the Generoso Bridge will be up by April 2008. Until now, not a single steel cable has been moved in.
Advincula pointed out that a law prohibits the bidding of a project without enough appropriation. He said this could be the reason why there is a delay on the start of the construction of the Bankerohan bridge as the bidding process might not have been started due to lack of budget.
"Puros na lang diay ta laway ani. Surrender na ko (We're all talk here. I give up)," Advincula said in exasperation.
Department of Budget assistant regional director Garry Martel said their office is also ignorant if there is indeed a budget for the project. Martel said only the DPWH central office can say for certain.
For this, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang urged his fellow councilors to pass a resolution asking the DPWH secretary to appear before them and lay down the real score on the Bankerohan bridge project.
Councilor Bonifacio Militar also questioned Mitmug if the P300 million appropriation, as promised by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the project, was already given to them. Mitmug said no.
Mitmug however repeatedly assured the council that the Bankerohan bridge will be completed by April 2008. If not, Mitmug said, he will resign from his post as regional director.
To this, the councilors cautioned Mitmug saying not to put his position at stake since the regional office is helpless against the bureaucracy in the central office.
Councilor Nilo Abellera also cautioned DPWH from beating its imposed deadline on the completion of the project, saying the agency must first ensure that the bridge they are constructing is sturdy for the safety of the public.
DPWH-Southern Mindanao received a lot of criticisms for the delay on the start of the construction of the bridge. It seems though that officials and media are barking up the wrong tree.
Councilor Dayanghirang, who proposed the move to invite the DPWH and DBM representatives, said he was quite shocked by the revelation.
"We thought that there is really funding for the project as the President herself committed to shelling out the money but there really isn't," Dayanghirang said.
To address the problem, the City Council constituted a special committee composed of Councilors Dayanghirang, Laviña, Bonifacio Militar, Diosdado Mahipus, Ma. Belen Acosta, and Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz.
The committee will closely coordinate with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to discuss, which process to undertake for the immediate repair of the bridge.
It was suggested by Militar during the hearing that the city might be able to use its own money for the construction but shall be reimbursed by DPWH in 2008 by virtue of a memorandum of agreement between the two parties.
DPWH, however, said this has not been done before but added that it is a possibility worth exploring.
Dayanghirang, in an interview, said he was not satisfied with the answers but added that Mitmug could hardly be blamed for something that is not his fault. "It is really the Central Office that should answer to the people of Davao," he said.
Earlier on the floor, Dayanghirang in apparent frustration suggested that the City Council pass a resolution asking the secretary of DPWH to appear before the body to explain the delay.
However, he conceded to the choice of his colleagues who opted instead for the formation of the special committee as proposed by Laviña under suspended rules just before the session was adjourned. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (October 10, 2007 issue)
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